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| Paco Alcácer celebrates goal vs Sporting Gijon |
It was a good day in Barcelona as FC Barcelona put up an outstanding display to see off Sporting Gijon 6-1 in their 25th game of the 2016/2017 La Liga season, a win that ensured Luis Enrique's men go top of the log after Real Madrid dropped two points at home against Las Palmas in a 3-3 draw.
Barcelona went into the game knowing they must get nothing but a win and they did just that as goals from Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar, Ivan Rakitic, Paco Alcácer and an own goal ensured the Blaugranas scoop a deserved three points.
Coach Luis Enrique started a rather mysterious XI but it worked out as Barça didn't waste time to make it 1-0 after Lionel Messi headed in a fine long pass from Javier Mascherano after just 8 minutes.
Barça were in no mood for any nonsense and got their second two minutes later.. A fine pass from Neymar found Suarez who rounded the goalkeeper and shot towards the face of goal before Sporting defender Rodriguez made a horrendous clearance to slot or into his own net.
Sporting Gijon continued fighting and pulled one back through Castro who tapped in from two yards out after Sergio's shot came off the upright.. 2-1.
That didn't weigh Barcelona down and they made it 3-1 before halftime through Luis Suarez.. Rakitic dinked a cross into the Sporting box and a defender of theirs made a header clearance outwards that met Luis Suárez who volleyed in a rocket, leaving goalkeeper Cueller with no chance.
Sporting Gijon almost grabbed their second before the halftime whistle but Ter Stegen pulled a stretching save to deny the effort while Neymar had a shot saved by Cueller on the other end.
Luis Suárez was given a rest by Luis Enrique and made way for Paco Alcácer at the break, it didn't take long for the former Valencia man to get his name on the scoresheet as he scored from a fine finish after being set up by Lionel Messi.
Messi came very close to getting his second of the game after he dinked a freekick past the Sporting Gijon wall which beat Cueller but was denied by the post, he was then subbed off greeted with a standing ovation for his outstanding display.
Moments later, Barcelona got a free-kick in a good position at the edge of the box and Neymar curled in a beauty from it to make it 5-1, his first league goal at Camp Nou all season.
Rakitic then ended the rout after firing in a bullet from close range… The win means Barcelona go top of the log one point ahead of Real Madrid who have a game in hand against Celta Vigo.
